High-back heel structure for seamless hose and method



Sept. 2, 1952 R. A. TORGERSEN 2,608,847

' HIGH-BACK HEEL STRUCTURE FOR SEAMLESS HOSE AND METHOD Filed Aug. 6, 1951 30 I3 RAYMOND A. Tomezsem a: INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 2, 1952 HIGH-BACK HEEL STRUCTURE FOR SEAM A w j LESS HOSE AND METHOD Itayn ondA. Torgersen, Burlington, N.'1C., as!

Signor to Standard Hosiery Mills, Inc., Burling- .ton,,N. (1., a corporation of North Carolina Application August 6, 1951, Serial No. 240,534

This invention relates to tubular knit fabrics and more especially to" an improved heel structure for stockings such as 'mens half-hose.

It is well known to those familiar with the art that a reeniorcing yarn is knitted into the heel pocket of both full-fashioned and circular knitted stockings.;- However, the reenforcing yarn has heretofore been interknitted with the body yarns at a point well below the upper edge or counterof the heel ofa shoe, such as an exford, when the stocking is being worn with the result'that the portion of the stocking normally worn adjacent the Achilles tender! of the wearer is often worn through before the remainder of the stocking has shown signs of wear thus prematurely rendering the stocking useless as an article ofwear;

Therefore, it is the object of this invention to provide an improved heel structure for tubular knitted fabric, such as men's hose, wherein the reenforcing yarn is *interknitted with the body yarn of the stocking at a point substantially higher in the heel of the stocking tha has heretofore been the case and with the result that the portion of the wearers foot adjacent the Achilles tendon'has a reeniorcing yarn thereagainst and thus providing a greater number of thicknesses of yarn which may be worn through by the upper edge or counter ofthe heel of a shoe, such as an oxford, without rendering the stocking unwearable or unsightly, thereby substantially prolonging the useful life or the stocking. l

It is another object of this invention to provide a stocking of the type described wherein the heel pocket is formed by initiating the first partial course adjacent the Achilles tendon portion by knitting with approximately thirty-fiveqper cent of the needles and gradually'widening in successive courses to include approximately fifty per cent of the needles thereby forming a first gusset, after which the narrowing takes place in the usual manner atthe heel until a partial course is formed which isequal to approximately twenty-five per cent of the length of a full course and thereby forming a second gusset. The usual widening operation then takes placeto include approximately forty-six per cent of the needles to form a third gusset. A narrowing operation then takes place to decrease the number of needles knitting from said forty-six pe'r, cent to approximately thirty-five pendent of-jthe needles to form a fourth {gusset after which the circular courses arethenfknitted informing the foot of the stocking in th'e'usual manner-This 16 Claims. (Cl. 66-187) 2 not only provides a substantially higher reenforced area in the heel of thestocking but also causes the foot of the stocking to extend more closelyat right angles to the leg of the stocking than has heretofore been the case.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1-is a schematiclside elevation of the stocking showingthe particular arrangement of the gores which result in the heel by knitting the stocking according to the principles of this invention; 1 l I c Figure 2 is a greatly enlarged side elevation of the heel pocket of the stocking shown in Figure l and illustrating the coursesthereon, the wales being: omitted for purposes of clarity.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the stocking shown in Figure l is, representative ofv a mans half-'hosexembodying thefeatures of the present invention. -Although .a mans halihose is illustrated, it isto be understood that the manner of knitting the heel pocket-to be-presently described, may .be carried out in the'knitting'of any! type of seamless. hose suchas are knitted 0n circular knitting machines. Although only one. side of the stocking is shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that. the opposite side is identical except opposite hand,

In this instance, the half-hose comprises the usual welt portion ill, a leg portion II, a heel portion broadly designatedat l2 and-foot and toe portions [3 and [4, respectively. The welt Ill, leg ll, foot l3"a'nd.toe pocket-l4 may be knitted in any desired manner and the specific manner of knitting these portions does not necessarily constitute a part of the present invention, it being understoodthat the portions of the leg I I and foot l3 adjacent 'the instep thereof are preferably formed from circular courses.

In knitting the improved 'heel structure, successive circular courses are knitted in the leg ll down to a circular course 20, the circular courses in the leg I l being bracketed and being indicated generally'at'C-I. The heel pocket' l2 includes successively knitareas or gussets 0 2, (3-3, C-4 and 0-5 which are preferably knitted from a heavy or reenforclng yarn'in'a" manner to be presently described. I

Now, it-is well known to those iamiliar, with the art that a knitting machine goes into reciprocatory knitting; aiterknitting the course 20 to form the' heel pocket [2; However, in this instance, instead of commencing in knitting the heel pocket with approximately half of the needles and gradually decreasing the needles from course to course until only approximately 15 to 30 needles knit in the shortest course in the heel, the first partial course in the heel pocket, indicated at 2!, is knitted with approximately thirty-five per cent of the needles or a substantially lesser number of needles than half of the needles in the needle circle so that the initial partial course 2| at each side of the stocking extends from a point 22 at the center of the back of the heel, and at the portion thereof which is normally worn adjacent the Achilles tendon of the wearer, to a point indicated at '23. In the meantime, the needles merely hold the loops thereon represented by a line extending from the point 23 to a point 24 at the instep; Y 7

A series of partial courses are then knitted to form an above heel extension, bracketed at C-2, which is disposed above the normal heel pocket. This abov'eheel extension is formed from successive partial courses which gradually increase in length, to thus progressively widen the upper portion of the heel pocket l2 usually by raising one needle out of action and lowering two needles into action with each reciprocation of the needle cylinder to thereby form a gore or suture extend ing from the point '23 to a point 25.

This gore may embrace approximately 27 partial courses. The partial course at the point 25 is knitted from approximately fifty per cent of the needles following which the knitting of the heel pocket proceeds in substantially the usual manner of knitting the heel pocket and in which a narrowing operation occurs in each successive course wherein the number of needles knitting each successive course are usually decreased by one needle upon each reciprocation of the needle cylinder. The course at the level of point 25 is the first course in the first or upper half of the normal heel pocket,this first half being termed the second gusset in the 'heel l2 and being bracketed at -3 in Figure 2. a

The narrowing operation forms a normal gore or suture extending from the point 25 down to a point 26 and wherein the last knitted partial course extending from the point. 26 to substantially-a point 2'! and to a point at the other side of the stocking coinciding with the point 28 and which is knitted" with twelve to twenty-five per cent of the needles in the needle cylinder. The usual widening operations then take place wherein one needle is raised out of action and two needles are brought into action upon each reciprocation of the needle cylinder until the number of needles in knitting action is approximately forty-six per cent of the needles in the needle cylinder.

This will interknit the loops extending along the gore from the point 26 to a point 31] adjacent the p0int25. If so desired, the number of needles in knitting action at point 30 may vary from forty to fifty per cent. In the latter instance, it is evident that point 30 would be the same as point 25. This forms the second or lower half of the normal heel pocket. This lower half of the normal heel pocket is also termed as the third gusset, bracketed at 6-4 in Figure 2. At this time, the above heel extension and the normal heel have been completed.

Now, in order to cause the foot portion [3 of the stocking to extend substantially closer to right angular relation to the leg ll than has heretofore been the case, the number of needles in knitting action are again decreased to remove one needle from action upon each reciprocation of the needle cylinder to form a gore or suture extending from the point 38 to a point 3!. This action forms what may be termed an after-heel extension or fourth gusset bracketed at C-5 and may be continued for any desired number of partial courses until at least substantially more than one-half the needles in the needle cylinder have been raised out of action, preferably up to sixty-five per cent, as is the case inknitting the course 2| extending along the line 22-23.

The number of courses knitted in forming the gore or suture 3-0-31 is determined by the degree of angle desiredbetween the leg II and the foot I 3 of the stocking; The final course knitted in theheel pocket {2 is indicated at 32 and, as heretofore stated; is knitted by approximately thirty-five per cent of the needles.

The usual clutching and switch cam means employed on circular knitting machines is then actuated in a well known manner to cause the machine to resume circular. knitting and whereupon a course 34 is knitted which extends along the line 33-31-32-25-24. The remaining courses in the foot of the stocking are then also knitted in the usualcircular manner of knitting with continuous rotation of the needle cylinder.

Although the entireslength of the gore or suture 25-30-25 is initially formed by uniformly narrowing from course to course whileknitting the second gusset 0-3, the circular courses 2B and 34 diverge above and below the heel pocket i2 at the point 25 thus distorting the portion 25-39 of the gore orsuture 25-30-26 and causing the same to extend at an obtuse angle. relative to the portion 38-26 of suture 25-30-26. However, the gore or suture 23-25 extends at substantially right angles relative to the major portion of the gore or suture 25-30-28. Thus,

the gores 23-25 and 30-26 extend at an angle at approximately forty-five the leg ll. I

It is evident that the gusset 0-3; may be narrowed less than the gusset (3-4 is widened to thus cause the gore 32-3! to be disposed closer to the instep than the gore 23-25 if desired.

Summarizing the manner in which the heel pocket I2 is knitted, at the start of reciprocatory knitting at the beginning of. the above heel extension or firstgusset (2-2, the stitches of the last circular knit course20 of the leg H remain on the shanks of approximately sixty-five per cent of the needles initialflxraised out o nitting action. In other words, reoiprocatory knitting of this area starts on approximately thirty-five per cent of the needles and widens to include seven and one-half. per cent of the needles on each side of the stocking, or until approximately fifty per cent of the needles-areloweredinto knitting action I 1 This forms the gore or;sutur-e 23-25. During this process, the last circularly knit stitches in the seven and one-half-per cent area at each side of the stocking, defined by the gore or suture 23-25 are progressively cast off and joined to the new reciprocally knit stitches thus forming a gore extending atsubstantiallyright angles to the subsequent formed portion 26-39 of the degrees relative to normal heel gore25-30-26.

The reciprocally knit stitches of the terminal partial course 32 of theafter-heel extension, bracketed at 6-5, and extending along the line 30-3l,. as well; as the reciprocally knit stitches formed atthe' terminus of the: courses which o 5 form the gores 3i-30 and 30-2-5 are cast off fol-. lowing the knitting of the course 32 and joined to the first circulatory knit course 34 after the heel pocket [2 is knitted. The circular courses in the foot [3 are bracketed at C 6.

It is evident that, during the knitting of the above-heel extension -2, the first andsecond halves C-3 and C-4 of the normal heeland the after-heel extension 0-5, which are knitted with up to approximately fifty per cent of the needles, no knitting was in progress on the other fifty to sixty-five per cent of the needles in the instep, thereby making the sole portion longer than is usually the case in comparison with the length of the instep, this relatively longer length of the sole portion being determined by the number. of courses being knitted. in the above-heel portion 0-! and the after-heel portion 0-5. It is the affect of these two latter areas together which causes the foot portion 113 to extend at closer to right angularrelation to the leg of the stocking I I than has heretofore been the case. 7

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and although specific terms are-employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a circular knit stocking, a heel in which there is present a plurality of gussets arranged in succession on each side of the heel and including a first gusset being progressively widened and having a suture along the side thereof adjacent the instep fabric, a second gusset interknitted at its upper edge with the first gusset and being progressively narrowed, a third gusset being progressively widened and interknitted at its widened side with the narrowed side of the second gusset to form a suture therebetween, a fourth gusset interknitted with the third gusset and being progressively narrowed to form a suture extending downwardly and forwardly at substantially right angles to and from the suture between the second and third gussets, the subsequent first circular course in the foot of the stocking being interknitted with the last partial course in the fourth gusset and with the terminal loops of all the partial courses in the fourth gusset, and the first partial course in the first gusset as well as the terminal loops of all of the partial courses in the first gusset being interknitted with the last circular course in the leg of the stock- 2. In a circular knit stocking having a leg and a foot provided with circularv courses, a heel in which there is present a plurality of gussets on each side of the heel including a first. a second, a third and a fourth gusset arranged in succession, said first gusset being progressively widened and having a suture along the side thereof adjacent the instep fabric, said, second gusset being interknitted at its upper edge with the first gusset and being progressively nar-' rowed, said third gusset being progressively widened and interknitted at its widened edge with the narrowed edge of the second gusset to form a suture therebetween, said fourth gusset being interknitted with the third gusset and being progressively narrowed to form a suture extending downwardly and forwardly at substan-' tially right, angles to and from the suture between the second and third gussets, the subse-' quent first circular course in the foot ofthe stockingizbeinginterknitted with the last pare tial course-in the fourtlr gusset and with the terminal loops or all thepartial courses in the fourth gusset, vand the first partial course in the first gusset as w'ellas'the terminal loops of 1 all: of 2 the. partial courses in the first gusset being interknitted with the last. circular course in the leglofithestocking; i i

3'. In a circularwknit stocking having a leg and afoot provided with' 'circular courses, a heel in which there is present a plurality of gussets on each side of the heel including a first, a second, a third andafourth gusset arranged in succession, said firstsgusset being progressively widened and having a suture along the side thereof. adjacent'the instep fabric, said second gusset beingainterknittedatuits upper edge with the first gusset and being progressively narrowed, said third gusset being I progressively widened and interknitted'at its widened edge with the narrowed edge .of the second gusset to form a suturethereb'etween, said, fourth gusset being interknitted with the third gusset and being progressively narrowed to form a suture extending' downwardly and forwardly at substantially right angles to and from the end of the suture between the second and third gussets adjacent the instep of the stocking, the subsequent first circular'course in thefoot ofthe stocking being interknitted with the last partial course in the fourthfgusset and with. the terminal loops of all the partial courses in the fourth gusset, and the firstpartial course in the first gusset as well as the terminal loops of all of the partial courses in: the first gusset being interknitted with the last circular course in' the leg of the stocking.

4. A knitted stocking comprising integrally knitted leg, heel and foot portions, said heel being formed by reciprocatory knitting in first, second, third and fourth successively knitted gussets, the first gusset including a plurality of successive partial courses of gradually increasing. length, the first of said partial courses in the first gusset being interknitted with the last circular course in the leg portion of the stocking, the terminal loops of said partial courses in th first gusset also being interknitted with the last circular'course in' the leg portion, said second gusset including a plurality of successive partial courses gradually" decreasing in length, the Lfirstpartial course in said second gusset being interknitted with the last partial course in said first gusset-said third gusset including a plurality of successive partial courses gradually increasing in length, the terminal loops ofthe partial courses in the third gusset being interknitted with the terminal loops of the partial courses in the second gusset to form a suture therebetween, said fourth gusset including a plu rality of successive partial courses gradually decreasing in length, the first partial course in said fourth gusset being interknitted with the last partial course in said third gusset and the first circular course in the foot of the stocking being interknitted with the last course in the fourth gusset as well as being interknitted with the terminal loops in each of the partial courses in the fourth gusset.

5. In a circular knit stocking, a heel in which there is present a plurality of gussets arranged in succession and including a first gusset which is being progressively widened and having a suture: along each side thereof adjacent'the instep fabric, a second gusset interknitted'at its upper edge with the first gusset and being pro'- gressively narrowed, a third gusset which is progressively widened and interknitted at its widened edge on'each side of, the heel with corresponding narrowed edge oi the second gussetto form a suturetherebetween, a fourth gusset interknitted with the third gusset and being progressively narrowed to form a suture extending downwardly and forwardly at each side of the heel at substantially right angles to and from the suture between the second and third gussets, the subsequent first course in the foot of the stocking being. interknitted with the last partial course in, the fourth gusset and with the terminal loops of all the partial courses in the fourth gusset, and the first partial course in thefirst gusset as well. as the terminal loops of all of the partial courses in the first gusset being interknitted withthe last circular course in the leg of the stocking.

6. A knitted stocking comprising integrally knitted leg, heel and footv portions, said heel being formed by reciprocatory knitting in first, second, third and fourth successively knitted gussets, the first gusset. including a plurality of, successive partial courses of gradually increasing length, the first of said partial courses in the first gusset being interknitted with the last circular courses in the leg portion of the stocking, the terminal loops of said partial courses in the first gusset also being intcrknitted with the last circular course in the leg portion, said second gusset including a plurality-of successive partial courses gradually decreasing inv length,

the first partial course in said second gusset be-v increasing in length, the number of. partial,

courses in the third gusset being substantially the same as the number of partial courses in.

the second gusset, the terminal loops of the partial courses in the third gusset; being, interknitted withthe terminal loops of the partial courses in the second gusset to form a. suture therebetween, said fourth'gusset including a plurality of successive partial courses gradually decreasing in length, the first partial course in said fourth gusset beinginterknitted with the last course, in said third gusset, and the first circular course in the foot of the stocking being interknitted with the last course in the fourth gusset as well as being interknitted with the terminal loops in each ofv the partial courses, in the fourth gusset.

7. In a circular knit stocking: having a legend a foot each knitted at least partially in circular courses and having a normal heel formed, by; two contiguous gussets wherein the first of said" gussets includes a plurality of progressivel narrowed courses and the second of said gussets includes aplurality of progressively widened courses with the terminal loops of said progressively narrowed courses and said progressively widened courses plurality of courses in the foot of the stocking:

interknittedwith the last partial course'in the after-heelextension and the terminal loops of the partial courses in the after-heel. extension, the last circular course. in the leg of the stocking being interknitted with the first partial course in the above-heel extension and also being interknitted with. the terminal loops oi the partial courses in the-'above-heel extension, the last circular course in lthe leg of the stocking and the first circular course in the foot of'the stocking being 'interknitted in the instep of the stocking and extending in diverging relation to each other at the end of the suture between the said first and second gussets adjacent the instep of the stocking.

9. A knitted stocking comprising integrally knitted leg, heel and foot portions, said heels being formed by reciprocatory knitting in first, second, third and fourth successively knitted gusseta'the first gusset including aplurality of successive partial courses of gradually increasing length, the first of said partial courses in the first gusset being interknitted win the last circular courses in the leg portion of the stocking, the terminal loops of said partial courses in the first gusset also being interknitted with the last circular course in the leg portion, said second gusset including a plurality of successive partial courses gradually decreasing in length, the first partial course in said second gusset being interknitted with the last partial course in said first gusset, said third gusset including a plurality of successive partial courses gradually increasing in length, the number of. partial courses in the third gusset being substantially-less than the number of partial courses in the second gusset, the terminal loops of the partial courses in the third gusset being interl-znitted with the terminal loops of the partial courses in the second gusset to form a suture therebetween, said fourth gusset including a plurality of successive partial courses gradually decreasing in length, the first partial course in said fourth gusset being interknitted with the last course in said third gusset and the first circular course in the foot of the stocking being interknit'ted with the last course in the fourth gusset as well as: being interknitted with the terminal loops in each of the partial courses in the fourth gusset.

9. A, knitted stocking comprising integrally knitted leg, heel and foot portions, said heels being formed by reciprocatory knitting in first, second, third and fourth successively knitted gussets, the first gusset including a plurality of successive partial courses of gradually increasing length, the first'of said partial courses in the first gusset being interknitted with thelast circular course. in the, leg portion of the stocking, the terminal loops of said partial courses in the first, gussetv also being interknitted with the last circular course inthe leg portion, said second gussetzincluding a. plurality of successive partial courses gradually decreasing in length, the first partial cours'ein said second gusset being interkrritired withithe last' partial course in said first gusset, said: third gusset including a plurality of successive partial courses gradually increasingin length, the number of partial courses in the third gusset being substantially greater than the number of. partial courses in the second gusset, the terminal loops. of, the. partial courses in the third gussetbeing interknitt'ed with the terminal loops 7 of the partial ,courses in the second gusset to form a suture therebetween, saidrfourth gusset including; a, plurality oilsuccessive partial courses 7 gradually decreasing in length, the first partial course in said fourthj'gusset being interknitted with the last coursein said third gusset and the first circular coursev in the. foot of the stocking being interknittedwith the last course in the fourth gusset as well'jasbeing interknitted with the terminal loops in each'of the partial courses in the fourth gusset, Y

10. In a circular jknitstockinghaving a leg knitted in" circular course's,a nd also having a foot knitted'in circular courses, an improved heel structure'formed by reciprocatory knitting first, second, third and fourth successively knitted gussets, the first gussetmincluding a plurality of progressively widenedpartialcourses' wherein the first of said partial courses embraces substantially less than half of the'iwales in the stocking and wherein the lowermost partial course in the first gusset embraces substantially half of the walesinthe stocking, said second gusset including a plurality, of progressively narrowed partial courses in which thefirstpartial course in the second gusset embraces substantially half of, the wales in the stocking and wherein the last partial course in the second gussetembraces less than one-fourth of the wales in the stocking, said third gusset including a v pluralityrof progressively widened partial coursesfwhose terminalloops are interknitted'with thetrminal loops of the partial courses in the'second gusset and wherein the first partial course inthethird gusset embraces substantially the same number of wales as the last partial course in the second gusset and wherein the last partial course in'the third gusset embraces substantially the same number of wales as the first partial course in the second gusset, said fourth gussetincluding' a plurality of progressively narrowed partial courses wherein the first partialcourse in the fourth gusset embraces substantially thev saine number of wales as the lasttpartial course in the third gusset while the last partial course in the fourth gusset ted gussets, the first gusset including a plurality of progressively widened partial courses wherein the first of said partial courses embraces substantially less than half of the wales in the stocking and wherein'thelowermost partial course in the first gusset embraces substantially half of the wales in the stocking, said second gusset including a plurality of progressively narrowed partial courses in which the first partial course in the second gusset embraces substantially half of the wales in the stocking and wherein the last partial course in the second gusset embraces less than one-fourth of the wales in the stocking, said third gusset including a plurality of progressively widened partial courses whose terminal loops are interknitted with the coinciding terminal loops of the partial courses in the second gusset and wherein the first partial course in the third gusset embraces substantially the same number of wales as the last partial course in the second gusset and wherein the last: partniieourse mu e thirdT'gusset embraces a substantially lesserjnumber of wales than ;the first partial course-in the secbnd gusset, said fourth gusset .includi'ng' alpluralityjof progressively narrowed partial -courseswherein'thefirst partial course in-"t he fourth gusset embracessub stantially the same number of wales as the last partial course in'thejthirdgusset while the last partial course in. the fourth gusset embraces substantiallylessthan half the numberof wale'sin the 'stockingeach ofsaidgussets being contiguous to the instep fabric'fand. the terminal loops of the'jpartial'courses in'each' of the-first and fourth gussets, as well as those of the second gusset which werenot interknittedlwith the terminal loops of, the third gusset, I being 'interknitted with the circular courses in the instep fabric. .7

'12. In a circular knit stocking havin a leg knitted in. circular'eourses and also having a footknitted in circular courses, an improved heel structure formed. by reciprocatory. knitting fin first, second, third and fourth successive knitted .gussets, the first'gusset including a plurality ,of progressively widened partial courses wherein the firstlof said partial courses embraces substantially less thanhalf of the wales in the stocking and whereinlthe lowermost partial course in'the' first'gussetembraces substantially half of the wales in the stockingysaid second gusset including aplurality of"progressively narrowed partial courses in whichthe first partial course in the second gusset embraces substantially half of the wales in the stocking and wherein the last partial course in the second gus, set embraces approximately one-fourth-of the wales in the stocking, said third gusset including a plurality of progressively widened partial courses whoseterminal loops. are interknitted with thefcoinciding terminal loops of the partial: courses in; the second gusset and wherein the first partial cours inthe third gusset embraces substantially the same number of wales as the last partialcourse in :the second gusset and wherein thelastpartial course inthe third gusset. embraces afsubstantially; lesser number-of wales than the firstgpartial course in the secondgusset, said fourth gusset includinga-plurality,of progressively "narrowed partial courses wherein :the first par-tial course in: the fourth gusset embraces substantially the same number 1 of wales as the last partial course in th third gusset. while thelastpartial course-in the fourth gusset embraces substantiallyless than half the numberyof wales inthe stock n each of;said gussets being contiguous ,to theinstep fabric-and the terminal loops of the partial courses in each of the first and fourthgussets, as well asthose terminal loops .of the second gusset which were; not interknitted with -the-terminal loops of the:

third gusset, being interknitted with the circular courses in the instep fabric.

13. That method of knitting seamless hosiery which comprises knitting a heel pocket commencing knitting with substantially less than half the needles and gradually increasing the number of active needles from course to course for a predetermined number of courses to include approximately half the needles, substantially decreasing the number of active needles in each successive course in a second group of courses to effect a course which includes from twelve to twenty-five per cent of the needles, and then gradually increasing the number of active needles from course to course to include from forty to fifty per cent of the needles, then gradually decreasing the number of active needles during the forming of additional successive partial courses until substantially less than half of the needles remain in action and then resuming circular knitting to form circular courses interknitted with the terminal loops of the courses previously formed in the knitting of the heel pocket to thereby form an above-heel portion and an after-heel portion in the heel pocket to cause the leg andfoot of the stockingto extend in substantially right angular relation to each other andwherein said above-heel portion of the heel pocket will extend above the counter of an oxford type of shoe when the stocking is being worn. e r 7 l4. That method of knittin seamless hosiery which comprises knitting a heel pocket commencing knitting with substantially less than half the needles and gradually increasing the number of active needles from course to course for a predetermined number of courses to include approximately half the needles, subsequently decreasingthe number of active needles in each of a plurality of successive courses until only less than one-fourth of the needles remain in action, then gradually increasing the number of active needles from course to course to again include approximately half of the needles, then gradually decreasing the number of active needles during the formin of additional successive partial courses until substantially less than half of the needles remain in action and then resuming circular knitting to formcircular courses interknitted with the terminal loops of the courses previously formed in the knitting of the heel pocket to thereby form an above-heel extension and an after-heel extension in the heel pocket to cause the leg and foot of the stocking to extend in substantially right angular relation to each other and wherein said above-heel extension of the heel pocket will extend above the counter of an oxford type of shoe when the stocking is being worn. I

15. That method of knitting seamless hosiery which comprises knitting at least one circular course at" the bottom of theleg of the stocking, then knitting a heel pocket commencing with approximately thirty-five per cent of theneedles and gradually increasing the number of active needles from course to course for a predetermined number of courses to include approximately half the needles, subsequently decreasing the number of active needles in each course of a plurality of' successive courses until less than one-fourth of the needles remain in action, then gradually increasing the number of active needles from course to course to again include approximately half the needles, then decreasing the number of active needles during the forming of additional successive partial courses until approximately thirty-five" per cent of the needles remain in action'and then resuming circular knitting to form circular courses interknitted with the terminal loops of the courses previously formed in the. knitting ofv the heel pocket to thereby form an above-heel extension and an after-heel extension in the heel pocket to cause the leg and foot of the stocking t extend in substantially right angular relation to each other and wherein said above-heel extension of the heel pocket extends above the counter of an oxford type of shoe when the stocking is being worn.

16. That method of knitting seamless hosiery which comprises knitting at least one circular course at the bottom of the leg of the stocking, then knitting .a heelpocket commencing with approximately thirty-five per cent of the needles and gradually increasing the number of active needles from course to course for a predetermined number of courses to include approximately half the needles, subsequently decreasing the number of active needles in each course of a plurality of successive courses until less than one-fourth of the needles remain in action, then gradually increasing the number of active needles from course t course to include approximately forty per cent of the needles, then decreasing the number of active needles during the forming of additional successive partial courses until approximately thirty-five per cent of the needles remain in action and then resuming circular knitting to form circular courses interknitted with the terminal loops of the courses previously formed in the knitting of the heel pocket to thereby form an above-heel extension and an afterheel extension in the heel pocket to cause the leg and foot of the stocking to extend in substantially right angular relation to each other and wherein said above-heel extension of the heel pocket extends above the counter of an oxford type of shoe when the stocking is being worn.

RAYMOND A. TORGER-SEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 465,678 Rightmire Dec. 22,1891 490,241 Black Jan. 17, 1893 1,872,964 Katzenmoyer Aug. 23, 1923 2,170,076 Houseman Aug. 22, 1939' 2,388,649 Sheppard Nov. 6, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 599,610 Great Britain Mar. 17, 1948 

